Tuckwell leads commissioner hopefuls in fund raising

The Powerball it isn't, but tickets to Democrat Sue Tuckwell's fund-raising events sell well enough to make her the top fund-raiser among Washington County Commissioners candidates.

Tuckwell has raised $19,586, more than twice as much as any other candidate for a commissioner seat.

Ticket sales to fund-raisers account for most of Tuckwell's campaign money, according to candidate expense reports filed with the Washington County Election Board.

Tuckwell credited her fund-raising success to an early start and to what she said is a broad base of support. She said she estimated early on that a candidate would need $20,000 to mount an effective campaign for commissioner.

Her first fund-raiser was held in March, and more than 200 supporters attended at $25 a person. The second fund-raiser celebrated her 47th birthday with $47 tickets on July 24, she said.

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Tuckwell said 541 people contributed to her campaign, including those who bought tickets to fund-raisers. The average contribution to her campaign is $36, she said. So far, she's spent $10,625.

At least one of Tuckwell's opponents doesn't begrudge her fund-raising success.

"I say more power to her if you can command that kind of support," said Democrat Paul Swartz, who had raised $300 at the time he reported. Swartz said he just made a $4,000 loan to his own campaign and plans a fund-raiser of his own.

Swartz said he will report the loan on the next expenditure report, due Sept. 4.

Swartz - the top vote-getter in the 1994 commissioners primary - said he thought a candidate needed $8,000 to $10,000 to run a successful campaign.

Tuckwell's closest Democratic rival is John L. Schnebly, who reported $8,660 in contributions, loans and ticket purchases. He made a $2,000 loan to his own campaign. His expenses totaled $3,322.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Former commissioner Linda Irvin-Craig raised $2,690, all from contributions except for a $60 loan she made to her campaign. Her expenses were listed at $1,980.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Julianna Albowicz reported not raising or spending any funds at the time of filing.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Democrats William Blair, Ronnie Hines, Delmas Knight and Eugene Morris filed documents stating they will not raise or spend more than $1,000 on their campaigns or accept contributions of more than $25 each from individuals.

Among Republicans:

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Incumbent County Commissioner President Gregory I. Snook raised the most funds, with $6,100 in contributions. Snook was the only commissioner candidate with political action committee (PAC) contributions, including $200 from Citicorp Voluntary PAC, based in Hagerstown, and $50 from First Maryland Bancorp State PAC, based in Baltimore.

Snook had spent $1,623 through Aug. 11.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Incumbent commissioner John Shank gave a $3,000 loan to his campaign and received $125 in contributions. Shank's report said he spent $1,159.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> William Wivell reported receiving $3,927 toward his campaign, including $2,277 in individual contributions, $1,350 in ticket sales for fund-raisers and in-kind contributions of $345. His expenses were $3,256.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> John Munson made a $1,500 loan to his campaign and listed expenses of $1,431.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Republicans Timothy Bonds, John Corderman, Dennis Duffey, William Hornbarger, Alfred Lane and Joseph Walker filed documents stating they will not raise or spend more than $1,000 on their campaigns or accept contributions of more than $25 each from individuals.

Corderman said in a press release that he was keeping his campaign war chest small to demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

"I am trusting the citizens of Washington County to focus their attention on the candidates who they believe are making the most sense and not those who appear to be spending the most money," he said.

HEIGHT="6" ALT="* " NATURALSIZEFLAG="0" ALIGN="BOTTOM"> Bert Iseminger Jr. raised $300 and did not spend anything, according to his report.

Iseminger, an Independent, is not on the Sept. 15 primary ballot.

All candidates were required to file expenditure reports last Tuesday for campaign contributions and expenditures through Aug. 11. The primary election is Sept. 15. The next campaign finance reports are due at the election board by Sept. 4.